Do you avoid showing your teeth when you smile for pictures? You’re certainly not alone. In a 2015 survey, one-quarter of respondents said they very often or occasionally avoided smiling during the past year due to the condition of their mouth and teeth. Approximately 23% said they were embarrassed due to their teeth problems, while 20% experienced anxiety and 14% reduced their social participation as a result.

Being embarrassed about your smile certainly isn’t unusual, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Improving the look of your teeth can help you feel more confident and stay more socially engaged. Use these tips to improve your teeth’s look both in pictures and in person so you can feel better about smiling wide.

Not So Cheesy

Remember that old trick of saying “cheese” for a photo to get kids to smile? If you’re still using that, it might be time for an upgrade. Saying the word “money” instead of “cheese” for a photo lifts the corners of your mouth up more, making your smile for photos look more natural.

Know Your Angle

Everyone has their “good” side, but taking great photos while smiling might require you to go a step further than that. Know what lighting and angle best compliments your smile and your best features. For example, if you’re worried about the shape of your face, try raising your camera slightly for a higher-up angle that can change how your jawline looks in photos. Even if you’re not as sure about sporting a toothy grin, knowing how to emphasize your strengths in photos can help you build up the self-confidence you need to eventually smile for the camera.

Lightening Up

Worried about stained teeth showing up in your photo? You might want to consider tooth whitening treatments. Depending on how off-color your teeth are and your personal budget, there are plenty of options for lightening your teeth both at your local dentist and right at home. Just be sure to look for an ADA seal of approval on any tooth whitening methods you try at home, so you can be confident that your chosen product is safe to use for your teeth.

Getting Professional

One of the reasons you might be nervous about your smile is because you haven’t visited a dentist in a while. Dentist anxiety is entirely normal, and plenty of adults experience this. However, there’s little to worry about; dentistry is considered one of the 10 most trusted and ethical professions in the United States. If it’s been a little while since your last visit, schedule an appointment with your local dentist to get your smile looking its best.

Feeling confident about your smile is important for more than just your self-confidence and social media; 74% of adults think an unattractive smile can hurt them professionally, according to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey. Finding your best smile can help improve your confidence both online and off, so use these tips to get your grin to where you want it to be.